Shirodhara

Shirodhara treatment is usually practiced in the morning or in the evening. The procedure required you to lie down on the massage table with closed eyes. Shirodhara may first begin with abhyangam (Ayurvedic body massage). After abhyanga, the procedure for Shirodhara is started which involves pouring of about 2 liters luke warm oil continuously as a stream on to the forehead in an oscillating manner.

The time duration of Shirodhara treatment may extend from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the condition of the patient. It is important to make sure that the oil does not enter eyes or ears and is therefore recommended to be performed by an experienced therapist. You may also be given a mild head massage before or during shirodhara.

Shirodhara may also include pouring of buttermilk, decoctions or even water. Depending on the dravya (medicated or non-medicated liquids) it can be called as Tailadhara, Takradhara, Kashayadhara, and Jaladhara. Shirodhara is also included as one among the Murdhataila (four special procedures told in Ayurveda for the head).

Procedure:

1. Begins with abhyanga (Ayurvedic body massage)

2. You need to lie down on the massage table and relax your body

3. Shirodhara starts with the pouring of about 2 liters of lukewarm oil on your forehead

4. The pouring of warm oil extend from 30 to 60 minutes

5. A light head massage is given before or during Shirodhara

Pouring of warm oils used stimulates and sooth the hypothalamus, thereby regulating the functions of the pituitary gland and inducing sleep. Shirodhara stimulates Marma’s or Vital Points in the head and improves circulation. The warm oils used for Shirodhara also cause vasodilatation of all the channels and thereby improve the blood circulation of the brain. Shirodhara also reduces the level of stress hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline and thus relaxes the mind.

Benefits:

The benefits of Shirodhara include treatment of sleep problems, memory loss, poor concentration, chronic headaches, stress, depression, mental tension, hypertension, facial Paralysis and degenerative conditions of the brain. The medicated oils absorbed through the scalp stimulate the hair follicles and hence Shirodhara is an important therapy to treat hair problems such as premature greying of hair or hair fall.